The Tau of Saint Francis in steel (Tau or Taw), the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, has deep religious significance. In the Old Testament, the Tau symbolizes salvation and divine protection, as shown in Ezekiel 9.4-6 where God marks the righteous on the forehead with the Tau. It also signifies faithfulness to God’s covenant and is a symbol of fulfillment, indicating the perfection and completeness of God’s plan.
In the New Testament, the Tau is linked to the cross of Christ, its shape reminiscent of the gallows. It evolves into a symbol of redemption and eternal life, representing Christ’s triumph over death. Saint Francis of Assisi adopted the Tau as a symbol of his spirituality, emphasizing the humility and poverty of Christ.
Tau carries several fundamental meanings:
- Salvation : The Tau reminds us that salvation comes from God through faith in Christ.
- Protection : The Tau symbolizes the protection that God grants to his children against evil.
- Fidelity : The Tau invites us to live in fidelity to the Gospel.
- Fulfillment : Tau signifies the fullness of the revelation of God in Christ.
- Redemption : The cross of Christ, represented by the Tau, is a source of redemption for humanity.
- Eternal Life : The Tau embodies the hope of eternal life in Christ.
In the “Great Legend” of Saint Bonaventure, it is said that Francis, shortly before his death, blessed Brother Léon by tracing a Tau on the earth, saying: “May the Lord bless you and keep you, show you his face and have pity. on you. May he turn his gaze towards you and give you peace. Thus, the Tau was not simply a symbol for Francis, but a true way of life. Own The Tau of Saint Francis in steel
Tau has the following characteristics:
- Height : 2.8 cm or 1.8 cm
- Width : 1.8cm or 0.8cm
- Weight : 3 grams
- Thickness : 1mm
- Material : Hypoallergenic 316L steel
- Characteristics : Tau does not darken, resists acids and perfumes, is unalterable and is guaranteed for life.